DWU stumbles in home opener against Chargers

MITCHELL, S.D. – After leading by nine points after the first quarter, the Dakota Wesleyan University women's basketball team was outscored 22-7 in the second period, losing its first Great Plains Athletic Conference game, 80-63 on Wednesday in the Corn Palace.

 It was a quick start for DWU as Matti Reiner (Tripp, S.D.) made consecutive baskets, followed by a pair of free throws by Kaylee Kirk (Balaton, Minn.). The Chargers (2-0, 1-0 GPAC) went on a 6-0 run to tie the game after DWU held the early lead.

 After BCU took a momentary lead, Haylee Mork (Aberdeen, S.D.) knocked down a 3-pointer to return the lead to the Tigers (2-1, 0-1 GPAC). The Chargers bounced back to take a 14-11 lead minutes later, However, Mork and Grace Imbery (Aberdeen, S.D.) answered with 3-pointers to take a three-point lead.

 After Korynn Clason (Cambridge, Neb.) made a layup, Haidyn Pitsch (Prior Lake, Minn.) nailed a 3-pointer to extend the Tiger lead to seven points.

 Clason and Pitsch teamed up for another quick five points to kickstart the second frame and push the DWU lead to 14 points. But, BCU charged back with a 16-2 run over the next seven minutes to tie the game at 31. The Chargers completed the half on a 6-0 run to take a 37-31 lead into halftime.

 Three minutes into the third period, BCU took an 11-point advantage. However, Clason found Pitsch beyond the arc for a 3-pointer to pull DWU back within single digits. Moments later, Pitsch completed the old-fashioned 3-point play as she made a layup and was fouled, knocking down her free throw.

 The Chargers held DWU at a distance for the remainder of the third quarter as they held a 10-point advantage over the Tigers heading into the final stanza.

 Reiner and Pitsch scored baskets to begin the quarter as the Chargers took a quick 30-second timeout to regroup. Coming out of the timeout, Pitsch nailed another 3-pointer to give life to the Tigers. But, BCU responded with consecutive 3-pointers to take a commanding 15-point lead with six minutes to play.

 DWU attempted one final comeback as Jada Campbell (Alexandria, S.D.) and Pitsch made layups to bring the Tigers within 11 points. But the Chargers finished the game on an 8-2 spurt to pull away down the stretch.

 Pitsch paced the offense with 19 points on 4-of-7 shooting from downtown, while Reiner chipped in 12 points and seven rebounds. The Tigers shot 36.5% from the field and outrebounded the Chargers 35-30.

 DWU returns home to host Doane University at 2 p.m. on Saturday in the Corn Palace.